Watch our short film
The riverside exhibition featuring photographs by Becky Bailey, documents a series of creative education workshops as part of the wider Turning the Tide project. The workshops, led by Catherine Yass, centred Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent children, young people and adults. Participants were supported to develop new art skills, increase confidence, pride and a sense of creative ownership and social empowerment. Catherine worked with Royal Society for Blind Children, Aldgate Primary School and St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
The major element of the project is a site-specific film installation of disabled young performers projected over the Thames onto the iconic disused Blackfriars Railway Bridge columns for four nights in September 2026. Catherine worked closely with disabled-led theatre company Graeae and twelve members of their Young Company to work with film and projection to create a poetic world considering what the Thames and water means to them as young Londoners. As a political group, Graeae Young Company are aware of the impact of being on these iconic columns. They refuse to be sidelined. This project is part of their ongoing activism – to be seen and heard.
The installation can be seen from 17 - 20 September 20:00 to 22:30 from Blackfriars Bridge, SE1, with everyone welcome to attend.
The film Turning the Tide will premiere in Spring 2027.
More about Turning the Tide
Turning the Tide Creative Partners & Artists
- Catherine Yass
- Becky Bailey
- Hugo Glendinning
- Graeae: Turning the Tide by Catherine Yass, in partnership with Graeae & commissioned by Thames Festival Trust.
- Sebastian Buerkner
- Ben Glover
Turning the Tide Funded & Supported by:
- Arts Council England: Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
- Art Explora: This initiative is generously supported by the Art Explora – Académie des beaux-arts European Award.
- City of London Corporation: Turning the Tide is brought to you in partnership with the City of London Corporation’s Culture Team. It is supported by the City Corporation's Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund.
Festival Supported by: